WINTER PARK, COLO.—Winter Park Resort is stepping up its efforts to ensure good stewardship of natural resources through its new environmental initiative, Connexion. The Connexion program’s goal is to inform, involve and educate resort employees, guests and the community about the environment. Connexion includes energy reduction efforts with the purchase of sustainable wind energy credits, the utilization of single-use items made from renewable resources in the resort’s on-mountain restaurants, and an expanded recycling program. The new Eagle Wind chairlift is the latest beneficiary of wind energy, continuing Winter Park’s commitment to power all future lifts with renewable energy....

NEW ALBANY, MS.—Master-Bilt, a manufacturer of a full line of commercial refrigeration systems for more than 65 years, has unveiled its new Anti-Sweat Module (ASM-115) for glass door walk-ins. The new ASM-115 alleviates condensation buildup on glass doors and frames, for continuous product visibility, while also significantly reducing energy costs. “Master-Bilt is creating simple solutions for our clients’ energy savings,” says Bill Huffman, vice president sales and marketing. “Not only is this unit cost effective, but it’s also unobtrusive and space saving as it only takes up a small part of the door, not hindering the view of...

EL DORADO HILLS, CALIF.—Chapeau Inc., d/b/a BluePoint Energy Inc., announced the signing of two discount energy purchase agreements in connection with the Sheraton Kauai Resort Hotel properties, which are owned and operated by a wholly owned subsidiary of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. These discount energy purchase agreements are intended to serve as the master form of agreement for all properties under the umbrella of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. These initial contracts with the Sheraton Kauai properties represent approximately $1.4 million in project revenue to BluePoint with aggregate potential electricity billings of approximately $4.2 million over...

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND—Earlier this month, the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) won the Swiss Ethics Prize for 2006, which is organized by the Haute Ecole d’Ingénierie et de Gestion du Canton de Vaud (HEIG-VD) and its department known as Unit e²co. The jury, chaired by the President of the Council of State of the Canton de Vaud Pascal Broulis, rewarded EHL for the efforts it has made since 1996 in the field of renewable energy. The school’s heating and power system, the solar cells and the small wind turbine are consistent with sustainable development, and also allow EHL students to familiarize...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system, has moved into new offices in Washington, D.C. The new offices and workstations are positioned to maximize day lighting, and all light fixtures were selected for their quality of light and high energy efficiency. Of the energy consumed, 100 percent is offset by renewable sources. The materials chosen are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally responsible. For example, salvaged wood timbers create a screen forest wall for an elliptical conference room, and rapidly renewable bamboo, linoleum, and...

DAWSONVILLE, GA.—Project Planet Corp. and the Willard InterContinental Washington were recently featured on Channel 4 NBC in Washington, D.C. The “Going Green” news segment focused on the many ways the hotel has greened its operations, including the implementation of Project Planet’s linen and towel reuse program. Project Planet’s program is helping the hotel in many ways: reduced water consumption, lower energy costs and a reduction in the need for laundry chemicals. “We applaud the the hotel’s efforts and wish them big savings with the program,” says Karmen Pharris, sales and marketing director for Dawsonville, Ga.-based Project Planet....

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes USA Technologies Inc., Malvern, Pa., as a sponsor. The company’s VendingMiser reduces beverage vending machine electricity use by up to 46 percent and can help existing machines perform to Energy Star specification levels. Other USA Technologies products that produce similar savings include: VM2iQ for vending machines; CoolerMiser & CM2iQ for glass-front coolers; SnackMiser for snack machines; and PlugMiser for plug-in equipment. Be sure to ask the company about available rebates. USA Technologies can be reached at (888) 521-6982, or by e-mail at jgroff@usatech.com. Go to...

CARROLLTON, TEXAS—Accor North America, one of the largest hotel chain owners and operators in North America, was recently recognized as an Energy Star Leader by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for improving energy efficiency across its Red Roof Inn, Studio 6 and Motel 6 properties. Energy Star Leaders are recognized as part of the EPA’s Energy Star Building Challenge, a program encouraging building owners and managers to reduce energy use by 10 percent or more. As part of the Energy Star Building Challenge, Accor North America joined 20 others as Energy Star Leaders recognized for improving the...

LEAVENWORTH, WASH.—Sleeping Lady Mountain Retreat was recently presented with the 2006 Governor’s Award for Pollution Prevention and Sustainable Practices. Governor Christine Gregoire recently presented the award to Sleeping Lady, along with four other businesses and a not-for-profit group, in Olympia. The 2006 award marks the second Governor’s Award for Sleeping Lady, with their first win in 2001. This year’s honor was the Continuing Excellence award, which recognizes the retreat’s continued commitment to the high standards that garnered it the award five years ago. “We are obviously honored, and are grateful that this award exists, to help get the word out about...

NATIONAL REPORT—Even though energy prices have dropped recently, there is no good reason to put off investing in a guestroom energy management system. It just makes too much sense to have one. With heating and cooling accounting for 40 to 80 percent of a property’s monthly expenses, many systems can cut those costs by 25 to 45 percent. What is hot in guestroom energy management technology? There really are only a handful of major players in the lodging market. Several of those companies have added wireless options to their wired systems. Others have introduced Web-based interfaces to give users the...